Antenna



J. H. CONE Jan. 9, 1962 ANTENNA 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 22, 1956INVENTOR. Jaw v72 I]. Cone BY WM W 2 ATTORNEYS J. H. CONE Jan. 9, 1962ANTENNA 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 22, 1956 W MN J INVENTOR. H Cone M#LQQJ.

ATTORNEY! Jan. 9, 1962 J. H. CONE ANTENNA Filed May 22, 1956 3Sheets-Sheet 3 4 INVENTOR. Joseph H Come ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,016,206 ANTENNA Joseph H. Cone, Bridgeport, Conn., assiguor to CascoProducts Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of ConnecticutFiled May 22, 1956, Ser. No. 586,485 16 Claims. (Cl. 242-54) Thisinvention relates to an extensible and retractable antenna and moreparticularly to the type of antenna in which a flexible rod is used tomotivatethe antenna sections.

An object of this invention is to-provide an antenna of the above typein which there is suflicient frictional engagement between the flexiblerod and its actuating element to cause motivation of the antennasections, but in which the frictional engagement is insuflicient toprevent manual moving of the antenna sections.

Another object of this invention is to provide an actuating mechanismfor the driving of the flexible rod of an antenna in which substantiallythe same magnitude of force as that used to extend the antenna-isutilized to rethe center of the loop of the rod from the center of thepulley thereby creating substantially straight sections of the red atthe two diametrically spaced points where it contacts the pulley.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a drum on which theportion of the flexible rod which is not in the antenna sections isstored, and in which amount of rotation of the drum is controlled solelyby the amount of rod in the drum. Automatically controlled switchesactuated by the drum are, accordingly, responsive solely to the heightof the antenna section as determined by the amount of rod stored in thedrum to control the movement of the antenna.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear. In theaccompanying drawing: FIG. 1 is an elevation partly in section of theantenna comprising the present invention.

tract the antenna, thereby minimizing malfunctioning of I the unit,increasing the life thereof and enabling usage of more economicalelements.

A further object of this invention is to provide a driving mechanism forthe sections of an antenna of the type referred to above in which thepower transmitted to the flexible rod is derived solely by friction andin which the amount of power is a function. of the frictional engagementcaused only by friction inducing elements.

It is another object of this invention to provide, in an antenna of theabove-disclosed type, automatic controls for ceasing the movement of theantenna at its most retracted position, at its most extended positionand at a position intermediate thereof which is sufiicient for normalradio reception, but which is low enough to avoid the striking ofobjects such as garage doors, ceilings, low hanging tree branches, etc.I

It is a further object of the invention to provide an antenna in whichthe automatic controls respond to the position of the antenna and not tothe position of the driving mechanism. Hence manual operation of theantenna sections cannot change the position at which the powerdrivenmovement of the antenna ceases.

Heretofore, in antennas having a flexible rod for actuating the sectionsand frictional engagement with the periphery of a driving pulley forcausing movement of the rod, difiiculty has been encountered during theretraction of the antenna by the rod binding itself on the pulley. Suchaction causes the motor either to stall or causes stripping of the gearsbetween the motor andthe driving pulley whenever a greater than normalforce is required, which may occur if the sections have dirt or gritetc. accumulated thereon. In addition thereto, during extension of theantenna, the rod tends to release itself from the pulley which decreasesthe force transmitted from the pulley to the rod and may actually causethe rod to slip on the pulley and the antenna not to be extended.

According to the present invention, a feature thereof is the provisionof spring elements for causing engagement of the rod with the drivingpulley in order to make the force transmitted during extension of theantenna substantially equal to the force transmitted during retraction.

This is accomplished by providing engagement of the driv-' ing pulleyand the rod at substantially only two spaced points and of maintainingthe rod spaced from the pulley between these points whereby a capstan orself-loading FIG. 2 is a section of the upper portion of the antenna.

FIG. -3 is a section of the driving and storing mechanism for theflexible rod.

FIG. 4 is a detail taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view taken on the line 55 of FIG. 3 showing the automaticcontrol mechanism.

FIG. 6'is a schematic diagram of the electrical system of the antenna.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an antennacomprising an elongate tubular casing 10 having attached thereto anantenna lead-in wire fitting 11. A stationary elongate tubular antennasection 12 is mounted within the casing 10 and telescoping outer,central and inner antenna sections 13, 1'4 and 15 respectively,

most end of the section 15 by a connector 18. The rod- 17 may beadvantageously formed of a plastic material, such as fibre formingpolymeric amide. The flexible rod 17, according to the present inventionis frictionally driven .by the periphery of a driving pulley which, inturn, is actuated by a reversible electric motor. A portion of the rodwhich is not in the antenna sections is stored in a freelyrotatablereel, mounted adjacent the driving pulley so that a compact, efiicientunit is realized.

Referring to FIG; 3, there is provided a housing or frame 19 having afixed crossed shaft 20. A gear and pulley assembly which transmits thepower from a reversible electric motor 22 is generally indicated by thereference numeral 21. This assembly consists of a driving pulley 23 anda gear 24-, which preferably may be of plastic material. Rivets 25interconnect the two parts while spacing washers 26 encircle the'rivetsto maintain the parts in the desired spaced relation. A hub 27 providesbearing surfaces between the assembly 21 and the cross-shaft 20. Theperiphery of the driving pulley 23is circular and is formed to have across-sectional wedgeshaped opening 27a into which the flexible rod 17is biased, The motor 22 is provided with a worm 28 which mates with thegear 24 to drive the pulley at a reduced speed. In contact with the worm28 is a lubricating wick 29 positioned in a hollow boss 30 while a 'cap31 closes the opening in the boss.

According to the present invention, the flexible rod 17 would normallyhave insuiiicient engagement with the driving pulley 23 to causemovement of'rthe'antenna sections, and thus, spring means are providedto cause sufli- ""cient frictional engagement of the rod 17 with theperiphery of the driving pulley 23 so that the motor power can betransmitted to the rod to actuate the antenna sections. Two pressuredevices 32 and 33, spaced diametrically opposite each other areprovided. Each pressure device preferably consists of a pressure stud 34which may be press fitted into a pressure arm 35. A tapped opening 36 isprovided in the housing 19 and a threaded cap 37 is screwed therein. Aspring 38 circumscribes the pressure stud and abuts against the cap 37so that the pressure of the spring on the arm and stud can be adjustedby movement of the cap 37. A pair of abutments 39 are provided,preferably integrally cast with the housing 19 to limit movement of thepressure devices. By having the pressure devices diametrically opposedand substantially equal to the radial force of one is opposed andbalanced by the other and there is thus eliminated any composite radialforce on the bearing 27 which would tend to cause misalignment betweenthe bearing and the shaft 26. Such a construction permits a moreeconomical bearing and shaft structure since there is no unbalanced loadon the cross shaft and a longer life of the antenna is assured.

As shown in FIG. 1, the flexible rod 17 has one end connected to theantenna section by way of connector 18 and is led through a straightconduit 40 to the periphery of the driving pulley 23. The conduit 40 andthe periphery are in the same plane and the conduit is aligned so as ifextended it would be substantially tangential to the periphery of thepulley 23. The pressure device 32 is angularly displaced slightly belowthe point of tangency and constitutes a feature of the presentinvention. It has been found that if the pressure stud 34 is located atthe point of tangency, a combination of manufacturing tolerances maycause the rod to be further wedged into the opening 27a to cause the rodand the conduit 40 to be out of line which would deform the rod 17 andtend to unload the pressure stud. While in the presently disclosedlocation, the rod 17, due to its tendency to straighten out afterengagement of the pressure stud 34, is continuously biased against thepressure stud 34 and into engagement with the periphery withoutdeforming the rod, which enables tolerances to be larger with aconsequent reduction in the cost of manufacture.

When a friction driving pulley is utilized to actuate a flexible rod,the rod tends to wrap itself more tightly against the periphery due to aself-loading action when retracting, and when extending, tends to unloaditself from the periphery and thus more force is transmitted between thepulley and the rod when retracting than when extending. This isobjectionable because the driving motor and the connections between thedriving pulley and the motor have to be of such strength that they cantransmit the higher force; if they are not, then the unit is subject tomalfunctioning. If an abnormal force is needed to retract the antenna aswhen there is grit, scum, etc., on the antenna sections or theybecomebent, then the motor is apt to stall and burn out or causestripping of the gears or other destructive results may occur,demolishing the unit. However, according to the present invention, theextending and retracting forces are made substantially equal and aregoverned substantially solely by the pressure of the pressure devices 32and 33 on the rod. In accomplishing this, there is provided a guideway41 located in the path of movement of the flexible rod 17, between thepressure devices 32 and 33. This guideway maintains the flexible rod outof engagement with the periphery of the driving wheel except at thepressure devices 32 and 33. The guideway is formed integrally with thehousing 19 and has pins 42 for preventing movement of the rod axially ofthe pulley. The guideway is coplanar with the periphery of the drivingpulley 23 and is somewhat circular with a larger radius than the pulley.Moreover, it is shaped to reduce friction between the sides and the rodas clearly shown in FIG. 1.

After the flexible rod 17 passes the pressure device 33, it is guided bya helical channel 43 into the storing unit 44.

The storing unit 44 maintains the stored portion of the rod 17 in ahelix. In accomplishing this, there is provided a drum or reel 45 havinginner and outer extending axial side walls 46 and 47 and a connectingbight portion 48. The side walls are spaced apart sufiiciently to freelyreceive each convolution but not enough to allow the convolutions tooverlap.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a small segment of the bight portion 48is stamped inwardly as at 49 so that the end of the flexible rod 17 maybe inserted therein and then the bight portion is crimped to fasten therod to the reel. 7

The reel is annular and has a stamped central section to provide anopening and an annular flange 58. An annular reenforcing element 51 ispreferably provided and has a radial flange 53 providing a bearingsurface on the shaft 20. A strengthening washer 54 is preferablyinterposed between the flange 50 and the flange 53 to provide rigidity.A retaining ring 55 and a steel washer 56 maintain the reel in thedesired location on the shaft while another washer 57' is interposedbetween the hub 27 and the reel 45. Accordingly, the reel is mounted forfree rotation on the shaft 26 but the rotation is controlled by the rod.

The amount of stored rod in the reel is directly related to the heightof the antenna and is utilized to control automatic switches forstopping actuation of the driving motor 22 when the antenna has reachedpreselected positions. Utilization of the reel 45 to control the device,ratherthan the rotation of the pulley 23 obviates malfunctioning of theunit whenever the antenna sections are manipulated by hand.- Also anyslippage between the driving pulley and the rod 17 does not disturb therelationship of the automatic switches to the height of the antenna. Inaccomplishing this, there is provided in the instant embodiment, aGeneva movement which serves to actuate three control switches. Oneswitch serves to stop the motor when the antenna reaches its fullyretracted position, another switch serving to stop the motor when theantenna reaches its fully extended position and a third switch forstopping the motor when the antenna reaches a position suitable fornormal radio receiving but which is below the fully extending positionso that the antenna will not hit obstructions as, for example, lowhanging branches or tops of garages, or garage doors, etc. A pin 58 isriveted to the reel 45 for engagement with a star wheel 59. It will beapparent that as the reel 45 rotates, each revolution will index thestar wheel 59 a determinate angular distance. The star wheel carries acam which, in the embodiment shown, is a pin 60 for actuating theaforementioned automatic control switches. The star wheel 59 is mountedfor free rotation on a shaft 61 carried by a plate 62. The plate 62 ismounted on the shaft 20 and is held in position by a nut 63 and a lockwasher 64 so that the plate will not rotate on the shaft 20. The plate62 has also mounted thereon a down-limit switch 65, a fully-extendedswitch 66 and a normally extended switch 67. Referring to the switch 65,there is provided a stationary contact 68 and a flexible contact 69.These contacts are insulatedly mounted on an angle 70 having tabs 71which project through slots 72 in the plate 62 and are bent over tofasten the switch in position. The contact 69 is biased so as to benormally in engagement with the contact 68 and has an extended portion73 which is engaged by the pin 60 of the star wheel 59 to open thecontacts. Switch 66 is similarly constructed while switch 67 is providedwith a bent portion 74 on the flexible contact which provides foractuation of the switch by the pin 60 but does not limit movement of thepin 60 beyond the portion 74.

A cover 75 is fastened as by screws 76 to enclose the housing 19. Thecover is provided with two holes 77 in which are positioned grommets 78through which the electrical leads to the switches are led into theinterior of the housing.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a schematic dia gram of theelectrical controls of the instant invention. In this embodiment, themanual control may be actuated by the position of the radio on-ofiswitch. This manual switch which may be gauged to the radio switch sothat one knob operates both is provided with a single-pole double-throwswitch 79 in which there is a lead 80 connectible to the positive sideof a source of electricity. There is also provided a single-pole,triple-throw position determining switch 81 which is manually operativeto override the switch 79. A lead 82 connects contact 79a of switch 79to the switch arm of the switch 81. A contact 7% by a lead 83 isconnected to contact 810 of switch 81. A lead 84 connects the switch 65to the-down field 22a of the motor 22 and then to the ground. A lead 85is connected from contact 81b of switch 81 to one terminal of switch 67while the other terminal, by. a lead 86, is connected to a terminal ofswitch 66 as is contact 81a of switch 81 by means 'of lead 87. A lead 88con-' nects the other terminalof switch 66 through the'up-coil 89 of thereversible motor 22 and then to the ground.

In .operation of the device the radio switchs79-is shown in its offposition, i.e., in engagementewith the contact 79b, which through thelead 83, contact 810, lead 84,

switch 65 and to the down-fieldof'the motor 22 will.

cause the antenna to be'retracted upon turning. the radio ofl! and thecircuit will be broken by the .down-limit switch 65 when the antenna isfully retracted. With the switch 81 in engagement with contact81b andwith the radio turned from off to on, .current can flow to the lead 80,contact 79a, lead 82, contact 81b, lead 85,

switch 67, lead 86, switch 66, lead 88,'up-coil 89 and to the ground tocause the antenna'to be. extended to its normal intermediate positionupon turning the radio on. If desired, movement of the switch 81 toengagement with the contact 81a will bypass switch 67 and cause theantenna to be fully extended until the circuit is broken by the openingof switch 66. Furthermore, if desired, move ment of the switch 81 sothat it is in contact with contact 810 would cause the antenna toretracteven with the radio on. Where it is desired to use only two limitswitches, namely the fully retracted switch 65 and the fully extendedswitch 66, the manual position determining switch 81 may be eliminated.i

There has thus been disclosed an automatic antenna in which the antennasections are retracted upon turning the radio oii and in which theantenna sections are extended to a normal receiving height suitable foruse near broadcasting stations, but which is. low enough to avoid thestriking of the antenna againstzlow hanging objects. Additionally, theantenna when desired may be either fully extended or completely lowered,irrespective of the radio switch.

There is furthermore, in the specific embodiment described, an antennain which a flexible rodis utilized to actuate the antenna sections inwhich-a friction driving means is employed to actuate the antenna withsubstantially the same amount of force applied to extend the antenna asto retract it. In addition, by reason of the illustrated construction,oil, dirt, etc, on the flexible rod fails to effect the operation of theantenna since two spaced pressure devices create the necessaryfrictional engagement between the driving pulley and the flexible rod.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claimsand portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. An extensible and retractable antenna comprising an antenna sectionmounted for telescoping movement into and out of a stationary, tubularsection; a flexible rod connected to the antenna for actuating thesection upon longitudinal movement of the rod; a rotatable pulleymounted to have portions of its periphery in engagement with the rod;motor means connected to the pulley to rotate same; pressuremeanslocated at not more than two spaced points adjacent the peripheryof the pulley, for causing sufficient frictional engagement between thepulley and the rod only at the spaced points where the pressure means islocated so that the pulley may actuate the rod; and means for preventingfrictional engagement between the rod and the periphery of the pulleyexcept at each spaced point.

2. .The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the pressure means islocated at two spaced points diametrically opposedto each other andexert substantially equal pressure whereby the radial force on thepulley of one is substantially opposed by the radial force of the other.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 in which the pressure meansconsists of two studs; each stud having a head shaped'to conform to theadjacent surface of the rod; an arm on which the stud is mounted; aspring engaging t-hearm for biasing-and moving the stud into frictionalengagement with the rod; and stop means for limiting the movement of thestud.

The invention as defined in claim'l in which the pressure means includesa spring and in which there are means for adjusting the pressure of thespring.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which there is a frame onwhich'the stationary antennasection is mounted and-in which therotatable pulley is mounted; a'

straight conduit extending between the stationary antenna section andthe interior of the frame, said conduit being aligned such that anextension thereof would be substantially tangential to the periphery ofthe pulley; in which the pressure means consist of two elementspositioned diametrically of the pulley, and in which one of the elementsis slightly angularly displaced from the point of tangency away from theconduit.

6. An extensible and retractable antenna comprising an antenna sectionmounted for telescoping movement into and out of a stationary tubularsection; a flexible rod connected to the movable section for actuatingthe latter upon longitudinal movement of therod; a' pulley mounted tohave its periphery in engagement with the rod; motor means connected tothe pulley to rotate same; pressure means including not more than twopressure elements located at two spaced points adjacent the peripheryfor causing sufiicient frictional engagement between the pulley and therod only at the spaced points so that the pulley may actuate the rod;and means for guiding the rod away from the pulley after it leaves apressure element and toward the pulley as it approaches a pressureelement.

7. An extensible and retractable antenna comprising an antenna sectionmounted for telescoping movement into and out of a stationary tubularsection; a flexible rod connected to the movable section for actuatingthe latter upon longitudinal movement of the rod; a pulley mounted tohave its periphery in engagement with the rod; pressure means forcausing the pulley periphery to be in driving frictional engagement withthe rod; motor means connected to thepulley to rotate same; and guidemeans for maintaining'the'rod spaced from the periphery of the pulleyexcept at not more than two spaced predetermined positions.

'8. The invention as defined in claim 7 in which prespressure means forcausing the pulley periphery to be in driving frictional engagement withthe rod; motor means connected to the pulley to rotate same; and meanslimiting the amount of frictional engagement between the rod and thepulley to not more than two spaced points so that the rod may, when theantenna section is manually moved, slide on the pulley.

10; The invention as defined in claim 9 in which the periphery of thepulley is circular and in which the means limiting the amount offrictional engagement is a substantially circular guideway having aradius larger than that of the pulley and substantially coaxialtherewith and adjacent thereto and in which the guideway extends forless than 180 degrees.

11. An extensible and retractable antenna comprising an antenna sectionmounted for telescoping movement into and out of a stationary section; aflexible driving rod connected to the antenna section; electrical motormeans for longitudinally moving the rod and hence the antenna section;and a circuit including the motor, leads connectible to a source ofpower, switch means responsive to the position of the antenna sectionfor stopping the motor either at a position prior to the antenna sectionreaching its fully extended position or at a position when the antennasection is fully "extended, and a manually operated switch for selectingat which position of the antenna section the motor is stopped.

12. An extensible and retractable antenna comprising an antenna sectionmounted for telescoping movement into and out of a stationary section; aflexible-driving rod connected to the movable section; electrical motormeans for longitudinally moving the rod and hence the antenna section; acircuit including leads connectibl e to a source of power, switch meansactuated by movement of the driving rod for stopping the motor either ata position where the antenna is fully retracted, at a position where theantenna is fully extended or at a position prior to the antenna sectionreaching asruu extended position, and a manually operated switch forselecting at which position of the antenna section the motor is stopped.

13. The invention as defined in claim 12in which there is a rotatablereel for storing the rod, and in which the switch means is actuated bythe reel.

14. An extensible and retractable antenna comprising an antenna sectionmounted for telescoping movement into and out of a stationary section;electrical motor means; means driven by the motor for longitudinallymoving the movable section; and a circuit including the motor, leadsconnectible to a source of power, two switches with each being connectedwhen actuated to' deenergize the motor; means for actuating one switchonly when the antenna is fully extended and for actuating the otherswitch only when the antenna is at a partially extended position; and amanually operated switch connccted in the circuit for selecting one orthe other of the two switches to deenerg'ize the motor when saidselected switch is actuated,

15. An extensible andretractable' antenna comprising an antenna sectionmounted for telescoping movement into and out of a' stationary tubularsection; a frame hav ing a straight conduit extending from the interiothereof into the stationary section; a flexible rod having one endattached to the movable section; a pulley mounted on the interior of theframe and having its periphery tangential to the axis of the conduit;'areversible electric motor and means connecting the motor to the pulleyto rotate the same and for preventing rotation of the pulley except inresponse to actuation by the motor; two pressure studs positionedadjacent the periphery of the pulley at diametrically spaced points;adjustable spring means for causing the pressure studs to be biasedtoward the pulley and for causing portions of the rod to engage thepulley to enable the pulley to frictionally drive the rod; a guidewaylocated between the pressure studs for maintaining the rod spaced fromthe portions of the pulley between the pressure studs; a drum mountedfor free rotation and having the other end of the rod attached thereto;a helical channel formed in the frame leading from the pulley to thedrum to guide the rod from the pulley to the drum; said drum having apin cooperating with a rotatable star wheel to form a Geneva movement; acam carried by the star wheel and movable in a circular path as the drumreceives or unloads the stored portion of the rod; three normally closedswitches having actuating elements disposed in predetermined locationsin the path of travel of the cam; and a circuit including the electricmotor, the switches; leads connectible to a source of power, a manuallyoperated switch for selecting the stopping position of the motor eitherat a position where the antenna is fully retracted by closing saidcircuit to the motor by one of the normally closed switches, or at aposition where the antenna is fully extended by closing said circuit tothe motor by another of the normally closed switches or at a positionprior to the antenna section reaching its fully extended position byclosing said circuit to the motor by the third or the normally closedswitches and a selecting switch for stopping the motor by the one of thenormally closed switches independently of the manually operated switch.I

16; An extensible and retractable antenna comprising an antenna sectionmounted for telescoping movement into and out of a stationary section; aflexible driving rod connected to the movable section; electrical motormeans for longitudinally moving the rod and hence the antenna section; acircuit including leads connectible to a source of power, a manualoperating switch and switch means for stopping the motor independentlyof the manual switch at a position where the antenna is fully retracted,at a position where the antenna is fully extended and at a positionprior to the antenna section reaching its fully extended position, areel for storing the rod, in which the switch means is responsive to theamount of rod stored in the reel, and in which the reel has a hub andpin cooperating with a star wheel to form a Geneva movement and the starwheel carries a cam for actuating the switch means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,299,785 Barrett Oct. 27, 1942 2,720,266 Broussard et al. Oct. 11, 19552,796,221 Carlson June 18, 1957. 2,870,973 Carlson .Q. Jan. 27, 1959

